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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-01-27-min 4 tho Q1 SELECTMEN'S MEETING Streets January 27, 1965 The Board of Selectmen held a hearing in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, on Wednesday, January 27, 1965, at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Levi G. Burnell conducted the hearings as Chairman pro tem. Mr. Robert Higgins, As- sistant Town Engineer, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were present . The Chairman called the hearings to order and intro- duced Mr. Higgins, Assistant Town Engineer, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk. He stated Mr. Higgins would furnish the necessary technical information. The Chairman explained the hearings are held for the purpose of making and establishing layouts of streets to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting in March for acceptance. He also stated notices Of the Board's in- tention to pass orders forthe extensions, layouts and relocations, if any, were served by Constable to all property owners as they appear on the most recent tax list. He explained that each property owner would be given an opportunity to see the plans, which were posted on both sides of the hall, and to register opposition or favor. He further explained that the final decision as to whether or not the streets would be accepted would be made by the Town .Meeting Members. He stated the streets come in two sets; one set is the subdivision streets. They are constructed under the subdivision control law and the others are streets, older struts, that would be con- structed under betterments . The first street taken up was Albemarle Avenue from near Anthony Road a distance of 465 feet, more or less, easterly. Albemarle No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the Avenue hearing on Albemarle Avenue was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Frost Road from East Street a distance of Frost 575 feet, more or less, northerly. Road No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Frost Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention Saddle to lay out Saddle Club Road from 300 feet, more or less, Club south of Bowser Road to 200 feet, more or less , west of Road Todd Road. 0)00 No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Saddle Club Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Todd Road from 325 feet, more or less, east Todd Road of Bowser Road to Saddle Club Road. No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Todd Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to ley out Turning Mill Road from Partridge Road a dis- Turning tance. of 114.0 feet, more or less, southerly. Mill Road No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Turning Mill Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice on intention to alter and relocate Skyview Road at Rangeway. Mr. Higgins explained that the owner of the property on the corner, and the only individual involved, has Skyview asked that the corner be widened and this is covered by Road the rearing. He further explained the proposed alter- ation and relocation is not only at the property owner 's request, but was recommended by the Engineering Department because of the change in the general road layout. No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Skyview Road was declared closed. At 8:15 P.M, the Chairman declared hearings open on the second set of streets and repeated his opening remarks for the benefit of triose not present at the 8:00 P.M. hearing. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay cut Grandview Avenue from Welch Road a distance of 750 feet, more or less, easterly to Estabrook Road. Grandview Mr. Bosinoff, 11 Welch Road, asked how wide the Avenue road would be and what its impact on the abutters, the cost would be. Mr. Higgins replied the layout, he believed, was forty feet. The pavement within the layout will be twenty-four feet and the estimated cost is $10.00 a front foot. He explained this figure is the highest it will cost anyone. If the cost is less, the abutters will 'oe billed at a lower amount, which may be apportioned over a period of twenty years. Kr. Bosinoff asked if the road would be graded so there will be no watr running off. He asked if there was any guarantee that it will. not cause water in his cellar. ;Kr. Higgins replied there would be no water getting over and running off from the pavement . Mr. Bosinoff asked what the zoning restriction was on tha size of the homes . 586 The Chairman stated there is nothing in the Zoning By-Law that covers the value of homes, but does cover the setback from the front, rear and side land. Mr. Bosinoff asked if homes could be built on fifty foot premises. The Chairman replied there is a section in which fifty foot lots can b e establishes; certain sectic.ns in Lexington do have fifty foot frontages. Mr. Norman Newlands, 49 Grandview Avenue, asked who initiated the petition and how many signatures were on it. The Chairman replied the petition was submitted by Robert Ericson, 46 Shade Street and Lester E. Savage, 1 Carley Road. Mr. Newlands asked if one person could petition to have the r oad put in even if the rest of_the people opposed. The Chairman replied that it is not being decided this evening whether or not this road will be approved. This is a legal hearing called for the purpose of hear- ing those in favor and those opposed. He stated with this information the Board of Selectmen will make a decision as to whether or not this road willbe con- structed. Mr. Newlands said he understood this builder at one time started to put this street in on his own. He asked, if the street is put in, wouldn 't it be cheaper for the Town to let him do it. The Chairman replied the only thing that can be acted on here is the petition from Mr. Ericson that the street be constructed by the Town. Mr. Newlands asked it it would do any good to get an opposing petition up before the Annual Town Meeting and submit it, that this road not be put in. Mr. Higgins explained that on these petitions, the Selectmen consider not only the number of owners, but also the number of lots they own and the amount of as- sessment that is going to be paid to the Town. Mr. Newlands asked where the water would be brought into this road. Mr. Higgins replied that is something separate, but the plans for the water are from both ends which will tie a loop through. . Mr. Newlands said when he built his house, the Town did not give him water. The Chairman said Mr. Higgins was correct, it would be to tie a loop. Mr. Frederic W. Koury, 26 Eastern Avenue, said he was not an owner of land on this street. The construction of the street concerns the people on Welch Road. He said Grandview Avenue is a few hundred feet from School Street and many people mistake Welch Road for Grandview Avenue. He said they were talking about an extension of a paved road across an open field, where there is no road at the present time. He said this paper street was laid out a 587 long time ago and since the paper street was laid out, #rhis neighborhood has been built up. He said the con- struction of this field into a public way would serve no useful purpose, but would cause harm to this community. He said it would cut across the front porch of the Cameron home, would plow through and come close to many of the buildings on Welch Road which would crate a hazardous condition. He said the only purpose he could see served here would be to subsidize a builder to construct a group of undesirable buildings and the construction of such homes will create a larger burden on a badly crowded school. He said he saw nothing to be gained by the Town in sub- sidizing a builder to set up a field as a public way which will cause harm to twenty or tiirty homes on Eastern Avenue and Welch Road. He proposed that such paper streets should be eliminated for any future consideration. Mrs. Kenneth Gillman, 24 Estabrook Road, said if Grand- view Avenue is put in, all the trucks and apparatus would have to go up Estabrook Road and all the children would have to be kept in. The heavy trucks would cave in Estabrook Road and the people would have to pay to have it fixed. She said she would like to be recorded in opposition. The Chairman asked if anyone present was in favor of the petition. Mr. Robert Ericson, 46 Shade Street, said he was in favor. Mr. Lester Savage, Jr. , 1 Carley Road, said he was in favor. The Chairman asked for a show of hands of those present who were in favor, and counted three. The Chairman then asked for a show of hands of those present who were opposed, and counted seventeen. A gentleman asked if this street was turned down if another petition cculd be brought up. The Chairman replied if there is another petition. The gentleman asked if the only thing then would be ;¢he abolishment of paper streets. Mr. Koury asked the procedure for eliminating paper streets. The Chairman advised that he discuss the subject with the Planning Board. The hearing on Grandview Avenue was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to _ay out Cutler Farm Road from Hudson Road a distance of 332 feet, more or less, southerly. Mr. Francis J. Holahan, Jr. , 12 Cutler Farm Road, asked how much it would cost per foot in front of his house. Mr. Higgins replied Cutler Farm Road has been esti- mated at $5.00 a front foot; his frontage is 117 feet and the estimated betterment is $585.00, the most he would have to pay. If the cost is less, the actual bill will represent the lesser cost. X88 r-; CC Cutler Mr. Holahan asked if there was any way of looking Farm Road at this petition to find out how many are opposed and in favor. Mr. Higgins stated there were thirteen owners and twelve of them we.. a in favor. Mr. Holahan said from the looks of it, it looked as if it wofld go in. The Chairman explained this is a legal hearing for the purpose of getting the information of those who are in favor or opposed. The Selectmen will make a recommen- dation to the Town Meeting and the Town Meeting will make the final decision. He said these are all legal steps required by law. Mr. Holahan asked if Hudson Road would be done. Mr. Higgins replied that hearing will come up next. Mr. Holahan said he was in favor. No one wished to be recorded in opposition and the hearing on Cutler Farm Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open on notice of intention to lay out Hudson Road from 110 feet, more or less, east of Woodcliffe Road a distance of 530 feet, more or less, easterly to Cutler Farm Road. No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing on Hudson Road was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Columbus Street from Cedar Street a distance of 600 feet, more or less, westerly. Columbus Mr. Louis C. Bentley, Jr., 8 Columbus Street, asked Street the cost per foot. Mr. Higgins replied $10.00 Mr. Bentley asked why it was so high, why some were $5.00 and some $10.00. Mr. Higgins explained that generally the cost is figured at $10.00 because drainage has to be installed. With reference to the two $5.00 per foot streets, drain- age is already in and the streets were up, to grade and partially paved. Mr. Bentley asked if there was any way of telling what the elevation is in front of his lot. Mr. Higgins explained not at the present time. He explained construction plans cannot be made until after Town 1°loeting, but generally the grade that is there now will be held. Mr. Bentley mentioned water in his driveway and cellar. Mr. Higgins stated as soon as the plans are prepared, Mr. Bentley could come in and look at them. The plans are generally read by about June 1. The Chairman asked for a show of hands of those present who were in favor and counted five. No one present was in opposition. The hearing on Columbus Street was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Bennett Avenue from Tarbell Avenue a distance of 160 feet, more or less, westerly to Chase Avenue . No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the Bennett hearing on Bennett Avenue was declared closed. Avenue Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Chase Avenue from Bennett Avenue a distance of 250 feet, mere or less, southerly. Mr Elizabeth Keddy, 59 Chase Avenue , asked when Chase the street would be paved, if accepted. Avenue Mr Higgins stated it will take two months to make plans, another month to get started. It wculd be July and run, ing anywhere through October. He explained all the streets would be put in one contract . Mr: . Keddy asked how she could find out what con- tractor would do the job. Mr Higgins replied it would be in the paper when the Sel etmen award the contract. No one wishing to be heard in favor or in opposition, the hea ing on Chase Avenue was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Melrose Avenue from Bow Street a distance of Melrose 100 feet, more or less, westerly to Cliffe Avenue . Avenue Miss Gladys Rix, 12 Melrose Avenue, said she was in favor aid asked about assessments on corner lots. Mr Higgins explained that the abutter pays on the longer rontage only. If she was assessed on a shorter frontag , the acditional assessment wculd be the differ- ence between that and the longer frontage. Miss Rix asked if being brought up at a hearing like this there was a good chance the street would be accepted in March. The Chairman explained this must go before Town Meet- ing. This hearing tonight is a legal hearing and held because of a legal petition. It is at teis hearing record is made of those in favor and those in opposition. The in- formation is taken back to the Board of Selectmen who will make a decision which is in the form of a recommendation to t he spring Town 1"i_eting. He stated it will b e at this Town Meeting that the Town Meeting Members decide whether or not the street will be accepted. Miss Rix asked if this was the biggest obstacle or if the Marsh Meeting was the biggest obstacle. The Chairman replied the March Meeting would be the biggest obstacle. Miss Rix said tris is the fourth attempt that has been made to have the street accepted. Tha Chairman said the first step in starting teis along is the Legal petition. Each year the Board has petitions presented to it . There is so much money that can be spent on streets. The Board tries to hold this to a reasonable II amount each year. It tries first to sort out those where there is a greater number of people on the street who have signed the petition. For instance, a petition signed by 90% would get preference over a petition signed by 15%. r0 J Kmo Mr. James Mortensen, 5 Melrose Avenue , asked if the sewer was put in the lower end of the street, and Mr. Higgins replied in the affirmative. Mr. Mortensen asked if the Town takes care of the street as it is now. Mr. Higgins explained that the Town can do no work on a private way and by special permission only are private ways plowed. He said legally the Town can do no work on a private way. Mr. Mortensen said he owned a house on the corner, 80 Bow Street, and asked what it would cost. Mr. Higgins said he did not see one listed for 80 Bow Street and stated that on the plans posted on the walls for inspection, the frontages being assessed are shown. Mr. Robert Allen, 72 Bow Street, asked what the betterment work consisted of. Mr. Higgins replied there are no sidewalks, but there is a drainage system. The Chairman asked for a show of hands of those present who were in favor and counted seven. No one was recorded in opposition, and the hearing was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Wright Street from Skyview Road a distance of Wright 300 feet, more or less, southerly to James Street . Street Mr. George S. Gordon, 17 Skyview Road, asked what was included Mr. Higgins replied drainage and pavement. He explained if the street is accepted, the dry sanitary sewer will b e put in. Mr. Gordon asked when it would be completed. Mr. Higgins replied at least by October the follow- ing year. He said they would not be able to use the sewer, if approved by the Selectmen and Town 1"leeting, until some year in the future. Mr. Salvatore Ciccariello, 13 Skyview Road, refer- red to the dry sanitary sewer mentioned and asked when the sew r would be put in Winter Street. Mr. Higgins replied there is a petition for sewer from Morris toward Bedford and that itself involves a trunk sewer. He said there has been no declaration on anyoneSs part as to when that sew r wilibe put in. Mr. Ciccariello asked if the sewer comes up Skyview Road and there is a dry sewer in Wright Street, if he would connect to Skyview Road. Mr. Higgins replied if the plumbing goes out that way. Mr. Ciccariello asked about his cost for the sewer and street on Wright Street . Mr. Higgins said he did not have the sewer figures. The Street assessment is $5.00. The Chairman explained the hearing is on streets only so Mr. Higgins is not prepared to give out figures on the sewer . He said Mr. Ciccariello could call at 3I I I Mr. Higgins ' office for that information. Mr. Ciceariello said if the dry sewer is put in, he may not be able to use it for four or five years and asked when he would have to pay for it. Mr. Higgins replied when the sewer is connected. Mrs. Antoinette Hitchcock, 3 Wright Street, asked if the sewer could be connected even if the street is not built. She said she spoke to someone in the office who told her there would be lines going under from Grove Street. Mr. Higgins said larcu d e i ssible to sewer that are _ from Grove St ., I ou possibly go up James Steet but not from Grove Street. He stated he may have ina vertently said Grove Street, but he did not mean it. The Chairman said if Mrs. Hitchcock wanted infor- mation on sewer, it wculd be much better for her to go to the Engineer 's office at the Town Hall where she could get the correct information. He said Mr. Higgins has a great kn wledge of the streets and sewers in the Town but no o e can be that well informed that he could make a statem nt here that would be firm. Mrs Hitchcock said Mr. Higgins said when a street was put .n, it would be at a level and other yards would not get the rain water into the yards . Mr. Higgins stated there will be no water going from I the pavement into anyone 's yard. Mrs , Hitchcock said, in other words, they would not receive water from the pavement into her yard. Mr. Higgins said that was correct. Mrs Ann Baum, L1. Wright Street, asked where the storm drains would be placed. Mr. Higgins replied they try to put two at the end of the curb, but he could not tell until the construction plans were ready. He said in this instance, a lip would be put a the end of Mrs. Baum' s driveway. No ne else wishing to be recorded in favor or in opposition, the hearing was declared closed. Hearing was declared open upon notice of intention to lay out Bruce Road from Hillside Avenue a distance of 130 feet, more or less, easterly. Bruce Road No One appeared in favor or in ourosition, and the hearing was declared closed at 9:07 P.M. A true record, Attest: , // I / i, %F eut:v0/03 elec Ven I r V I I